International Masterclass Dieter Birnbacher (University of Düsseldorf)
Ethics of nature: Environment, animals and natural resources
| Area of research: | Ethics of animals, nature and food / General, theoretical and methodological issues |
| Location: | University of Amsterdam, Bungehuis (Spuistraat 210), zaal 101 |
| Participants: | PhD-students and postdocs |
| Date: | Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd of September, from 10.00 - 17.00 hr |
| Further information: | Eva Reijman (e.reijman@crea.uva.nl) |
In the beginning of September, Professor Dieter Birnbacher will visit the University of Amsterdam to give a two day masterclass. The subject of this class will be the practical philosophy of nature: is it possible, or desirable, to formulate pragmatic solutions which somehow balance the many different ways in which humans position themselves regarding non-human nature?
Course description
This masterclass is intended to discuss key issues in what may be called "practical philosophy of nature", the ethical analysis of the variety of practical relations in which humans position themselves over against non-human nature. One striking fact about these relations as discussed in present-day environmental ethics, animal ethics and natural resource ethics is the fact that there seems to be more plurality and heterogeneity in the values relevant to this field than in any other field of human valuation. This is easily explained by the fact that valuations of nature are much more bound up with fundamental metaphysical beliefs than social values. From a pragmatic point of view, this generates the question to which extent practical solutions can be found that in some way balance views that often stand in diametrical opposition to each other. From a theoretical point of view, the question arises how it is in principle possible to bridge the ideological gap by some kind of "convergence hypothesis" such as that proposed by Bryan Norton and widely acclaimed by pragmatically minded environmentalists. If it is unrealistic to hope for a deeper consensus, should we be happy with a shallow compromise? Is there a realistic chance to mimic the undeniable pragmatic success of Beauchamp and Childress' "Georgetown mantra" in medical ethics by establishing an analogous variety of principlism in nature ethics?
Participants
The masterclass is open for all PhD-students and postdocs who are working within an EO&B research project. Furthermore, all advanced students who perform research related to this topic are welcome to participate - not just students from the field of ethics, but also from fields such as theology, economics or biology. Subscription for this course is required and is open until the 18th of August. Participation entails sending in a written piece, such as a draft of a chapter or an article, and presenting it to the group for reactions and discussion. Facilities for PowerPoint and overhead projection will be available.
Professor Birnbacher will also give a public lecture on Monday 1st of September (exact time and location will be announced later), on the limits to medical experimentation with animals.
If you have any questions, please send an email to Eva Reijman at e.reijman@crea.uva.nl.
Kind regards,
Beate Rössler